It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Mavis Eppes FAI died Saturday, July 24th 2010. Mavis was instrumental in the establishment of the Alice L Haltom Educational Fund. For many years she served on the ALHEF Board as Trustee and as Honorary Trustee since 2004. Her dedication to the promotion of records management and support for the future practitioners will always be part of ALHEF's success. Mavis Eppes, who was born during a snowstorm on January 31, 1937, in Teague, Texas, to Richmond (Rich) and Ruth Haynie Eppes, died July 24, 2010. Mavis Eppes, FAI was the Director of Records and Information Management at the prestigious Vinson Elkins Law Firm headquartered in Houston, Texas. Her career spanned 40+ years at V&E, where Mavis developed an exemplary Records Management Program. Mavis' dedication and drive to automate the records management functions and building state-of-the-art Records Management Programs made her a well-known and international leader in the records management industry. ARMA International consistently looked to Mavis to assist other law firms and professionals worldwide by answering questions, providing technical data, sharing policies and procedures, and training other Information and Records Managers. In 1990, Mavis was inducted into the first class of the Company of Fellows for ARMA International, which is the highest recognition award that can be achieved in the records management profession. Throughout her career Mavis was known for developing a solid structure of fundamental law firm records management principals and creating a "gold standard" for managing law firm client files. She was passionate about helping others achieve career goals and advancing the records management discipline. During her career Mavis was instrumental in growing the ARMA International Association through activities, both at the local and international levels. As President of the Houston Chapter of ARMA, she led her chapter to international honors as the largest chapter in ARMA with over 400 Houston Chapter members. She served on numerous ARMA initiatives and committees, including the International Technical Research Committee, the International Educational Publication Committee, Legal Services Industry Action Committee, and as every chapter officer and on every committee for the Houston Chapter. Mavis is well-known for her "Proud Professionals" slogan. She delighted in writing industry related articles and serving as editor of the ARMA Houston Chapter newsletter, the ARMAdilla. Mavis became affectionately known as "Mamadilla" for her contributions to the newsletter. In addition, Mavis received hundreds of recognition awards for her participation in the local ARMA Chapter. ARMA Houston created the Mavis Eppes Award to recognize a member (the records manager's records manager) who has pioneered a ground-breaking project from initial thought to reality. Mavis accumulated a long list of speaking engagements as a popular speaker and trainer at various professional development conferences. She had her records management program profiled in several textbooks used for college courses. She authored an article for "The Office" magazine concerning her firm's records program. She served on the Curriculum Advisory Board of North Harris County College. Mavis is also known for her participation in a number of local and international educational foundations that serve as funding resources for research and scholarship in the field of records and information. She quickly became known for creating a "culture of giving" in the ARMA Association. In addition to ALHEF, she served many years on the ARMA International Educational Foundation Board of Directors. Many professionals and students have benefited from her consistent generosity and her tenacity in leading fund raising initiatives to benefit others in the records management profession. In 2009 the ARMA Educational Foundation established the first annual Mavis Eppes FAI Excellence in Records Management Scholarship. She was known by her ARMA colleagues as witty, fun-loving, warm, hilarious, professional, passionate, a leader and a true friend. Donations in Mavis's memory can be made to: Alice L. Haltom Educational Fund Please note in Mavis Eppes memory on your check. |
